Happy Valentine's Day!! In honor of everyone's favorite
holiday, I have a little story...
The year was 1992, and I was a freshman at The-Four-Longest-Years-Of-Your-Life-High.
Every year the student government ran a carnation sale where,
for the bargain price of $1.50, you could have a wilty flower
presented to your loved one on V-Day. While not a total loser,
I was certainly enough of a dork not to receive Valentine's
surprises from anyone other than mom and dad. So come February
14th, I went to biology class expecting nothing more than
a painful lecture on the lifecycle of a fruit fly. Halfway
through class there was a knock at the door. Before I knew
it this girl was handing me a red carnation with a note that
read: BE MINE, Love, Luke Larkin. Let me tell you, I nearly
had an asthma attack. I had had a crush on Luke since about
birth, and based upon fact he'd only spoken to me twice ---
once to borrow a pen; once to tell me to stop cracking my
knuckles --- I assumed he didn't feel the same way about me.
As I sat there, with my half-dead flower, I thought: Is it
possible that life isn't that bad?
Of course not! As it turned out, Luke's carnation was supposed
to go to Sara Brennerman, not Sarah Brennan (that would be
me). It took me the rest of high school to get over the humiliation.
The moral of my story? Don't worry if you're spending Valentine's
alone, because one day you'll grow up to have a really cool
job reading tons of great books and writing a teen newsletter
and that guy/girl you loved from afar will still be living
with his parents, working at the 7-Eleven.
Got a Valentine's story you'd like to share with me? Write
me at Babyswingster@aol.com,
and I'll post them on our message boards after I've collected
some good ones. They can even be happy and romantic --- I
think I can handle it.
Now, let's get to those great books that make my job so
much cooler than what's-his-name...
NEW THIS WEEK...
Love Bytes 2001...
Whether you dread it, love it, or just don't plain care as
long as there is plenty of chocolate, Valentine's Day simply
cannot be avoided. So, in honor of February 14th, the Teenreads
staff has complied some really fun Valentine's-related
books just for you. Aw, aren't we sweet?
One From An Author We Know You
Love...
John Grisham's new book, THE PAINTED HOUSE, is finally out.
So what's the big deal? Well, this time around it's not a
legal thriller but a more serious, literary novel set in rural
Arkansas, where he grew up. Think THE PAINTED HOUSE will be
as good as THE FIRM? Take
a look at the new book, out today.
Coming To A Theater Near You...
From HARRY POTTER to THE PRINCESS DIARIES, it's becoming pretty
apparent that the movie industry would be hopelessly lost
without the book world. Need proof? Just check out our long
list of movie/book
tie-ins.
Teenreads Chats With:
Linda Crew, author
of author of BRIDES
OF EDEN: A True Story Imagined
Teenreads.com writer Tammy Currier talks with Linda Crew
about the inspiration behind her latest book, the bizarre
and often frightening process of researching and writing about
cults, and what we can expect from her next.
BRIDES OF EDEN:
A True Story Imagined by Linda Crew
The young people of Corvallis, Oregon are completely transfixed
by Joshua, the handsome drifter who claims to have a special
knowledge of God's will. They follow him without hesitation
and believe in his end-of-the-world preaching with a blind
faith. But eventually 16-year-old Eva Mae Hurt, a "chosen"
disciple herself, becomes troubled by his strict rules and
the "secret rites" he performs with his "brides of Eden" alone
in his tent. Will she find the courage to resist Joshua's
brainwashing?
Read our review, an interview with and a biography of the
author.
More Reviews...
THE WATCHER by Margaret
Buffie
Emma's life spins out of control when she takes a job caring
for an eccentric elderly neighbor. She becomes involved in
the board game Fidchell and proves herself a worthy opponent.
Does she have the courage to play out the real game of life
and death that will draw in each member of her family, as
she tries to understand her role in this frightening new magical
world?
SECRET SACRAMENT by
Sherryl Jordan
Gabriel's gift as a healer is finally legitimized when he
is accepted into the Citadel, the most esteemed institution
in the land. He is soon in league with the powerful of the
empire, including Empress Petra herself, who comes to rely
on his ability to interpret dreams. In gaining her favor,
he makes powerful enemies and witnesses firsthand the corruption
that is weakening the empire. Soon, he will be called upon
to make a choice --- a choice that will threaten Navora, his
beloved Shinali, and his very life.
STILL
GOING STRONG...
WITCH: The Wild Ride
from Wicked to Wicca by Candace Savage Take a journey
back to the 16th century and travel on through to the present
while seeing the true story behind witches, warlocks and the
occult unfold before your very eyes.
THE BOOK OF SHADOWS:
The Unofficial Charmed Companion by Ngaire E. Genge
It's tons of fun and filled with interesting facts and how-to
guides. Bet you didn't you know that you can use hair ribbons
to bind people or parts of a spell together!
CHARMED: The Gypsy Enchantment
by Carla Jablonski
Is it possible that Ivan, the hottie gypsy, is really evil?
Will Prue's feelings for him get in the way of her kicking
some serious demon butt?
SPIKE AND DRU: PRETTY
MAIDS ALL IN A ROW by Christopher Golden
Will reigning slayer Sophie Carstensen have to battle Spike
and Dru to the death in order to stop the slaughter of her
potential successors? Read our review
and an excerpt
of the book.
IN MY ENEMY'S HOUSE
by Carol Matas
Marisa must give up her family and her religion to assume
a new identity. Will Marisa find the courage to go on living,
even as the Nazis exterminate all that she left behind?
DRAGONS OF AUTUMN TWILIGHT
(Dragonlance) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Come join the Elves of Silvanesti, Qualinesti and Kagonesti,
the mountain dwarves of Thorbardin, the hill dwarves, wizards
of power and, of course, Kender in their struggle for freedom
against the world's ever-growing evil.
RECENTLY
REVIEWED...
BLUE AVENGER CRACKS THE
CODE by Norma Howe
THE BEET FIELDS: MEMORIES
OF A SIXTEENTH SUMMER by Gary Paulsen
BATTLE DRESS by Amy Efaw
INSATIABLE: The Compelling
Story of Four Teens, Food and It's Power by Eve Eliot
FEARLESS #13: Bad by
Francine Pascal
Have a great week, guys!
--- Sarah Brennan for Teenreads.com
talkback@Teenreads.com
